Fundamental shifts in CIO role, TEKsystems research finds

CIOs will need to adopt a dual role with an increasing shift toward becoming a “partner-liaison” for tech initiatives outside core IT’s traditional domain, according to research from TEKsystems.

According to data gathered in conjunction with TEKsystems 2018 IT Forecast, trends indicate new initiatives...

Employee retention remains top workforce challenge, SHRM survey finds

Employee retention and turnover ranks as the top workforce management challenge, cited by 47% of HR leaders surveyed for the 2018 SHRM/Globoforce Employee Recognition Report. It is the third consecutive year this challenge has topped the list.

Recruitment was the second-biggest challenge at 36%, while...

US leading index edges up, pointing to strong growth in first half of year

The Conference Board’s US Leading Economic Index edged up 0.6% in December to a reading of 107.0 (2016 = 100), following increases of 0.5% in November and 1.3% in October.

“The US [Leading Economic Index] continued rising rapidly in December, pointing to a continuation of strong economic growth in...

Jobless claims rise less than expected; average down 3,500

The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 240,00 last week, down 3,500 from the previous week’s average, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week's average was also revised downward by 1,000.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility...

Senator plans bill that would more than double H-1B visas (Bloomberg)

US Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, plans to introduce a bill in the US Senate as early as this week that would more than double the maximum number of temporary visas offered to high-skilled workers from overseas, Bloomberg reported. The measure would allow as many as 195,000 H-1B visas based on demand, an...

Adecco CEO discusses social safety nets panel at World Economic Forum (Adecco Group)

While change opens up new horizons for work — such as the platform and gig economies — it also poses some big challenges, said Adecco Group CEO Alain Dehaze in a reflection on the social safety nets panel conducted at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “One conclusion appears clear to me: in the...

Tracking data across applications (CWS 3.0)

Fierce competition in the VMS technology marketplace results in innovative enhancements arriving every day, the CWS 3.0 newsletter reports. Stephen Clancy, CCWP, SIA’s director of contingent workforce strategies and research, discusses what to consider when looking to engage business intelligence and...

Job market strong, but barriers prevent employment for some: Express

The job market is strong, but some people still face issues getting hired. Staffing firm Express Employment Professionals listed seven barriers to employment in a new white paper report with transportation and child care among the top barriers.

Deb Gray, an Express owner in the Pittsburgh area, estimated...

Online staffing platform Fiverr acquires firm that lets freelancers manage invoices, expenses

Online staffing provider Fiverr acquired freelance services platform AND CO, a platform for freelancers to manage invoices, income and expenses. The transaction expands Fiverr’s portfolio and further positions the company as both a digital marketplace and as a platform of services for offline freelance...

Businesses are improving the workplace experience, Randstad Sourceright report says

Businesses are bolstering efforts to improve the workplace experience, fueled in part by record low unemployment and a spike in business confidence, according to the 2018 Talent Trends Report released by Randstad Sourceright.

The report’s survey included more than 800 C-suite and human capital leaders...